Fun and simple cooking projects for the school holidays that the whole family will love

7NEWS

03-07-2025

Brooke Flanagan is the founder of Brooke's Canteen.
They offer healthy and creative canteen options for schools in the South-Western Sydney area.
Brooke will be showing fun ideas to make with the kids these school holidays.
Recipe below:
Healthy Banana Split Recipe
Ingredients:
•1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced lengthwise
•1/2 cup of any yoghurt
•1/4 cup diced fresh fruit
•1 tablespoon granola, Rice Bubbles or Coco pops (optional for crunch)
•1 teaspoon chia seeds or flaxseeds (optional for fiber)
•A drizzle of honey or maple syrup
•Mini chocolate chips or rainbow sprinkles (just a few for fun!
Instructions:
1. Prepare the base:
•Slice the banana in half lengthwise and place both halves in a shallow bowl or dish, cut side up (like a traditional banana split).
2. Add the yoghurt:
•Spoon yoghurt in between the banana slices, mimicking scoops of ice cream.
3. Top it off:
•Add your fruit on top of the yogurt.
•Sprinkle with granola, nuts, seeds, and a light drizzle of honey if using.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Healthy Swaps & Tips:
• Dairy-free? Use coconut or almond yogurt.
• Vegan? Use plant-based yogurt and maple syrup instead of honey.
• Low sugar? Skip the syrup/honey and use unsweetened yogurt.
• Add protein? Use high-protein Greek yogurt or stir protein powder into the yogurt.
Mini Burger Sliders Recipe (Makes 12 sliders)
Ingredients:
For the patties:
•500g beef mince (or your choice of ground meat)
•1 small onion, finely grated
•1 garlic clove, minced
•1 egg
•small handful of finely chopped fresh parsley
•1/4 cup breadcrumbs
•1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
•salt & pepper to taste
For assembly:
•12 mini slider buns (or dinner rolls)
•6 slices of cheese, halved
•lettuce leaves, torn small
•tomato slices
•red onion
•cucumber slices
•tomato sauce, mustard, or burger sauce whatever you prefer
Instructions:
1. Make the patties:
•In a bowl, mix the beef mince, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt, and pepper.
•Roll into 12 small balls and flatten into patties roughly the size of your slider buns.
2. Cook the patties:
•Heat a little oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
•Cook patties for 2–3 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through.
•In the last minute of cooking, add cheese on top to melt (cover with a lid to help it melt faster if needed).
3. Assemble the sliders:
•Start with the bottom bun, add lettuce, then the patty with melted cheese, a tomato slice, onion if using, and your choice of sauce.
•Top with the bun and secure with a toothpick if needed.
Tips:
•You can make and freeze the patties in advance.
•Try mini brioche buns for a sweet touch.
•Chicken is also a delicious option.
•Can be made in a vegan and vegetarian version also.
Breakfast Bar Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups Cheerios
¾ cup coconut oil (or smooth peanut butter)
¾ cup honey (or maple syrup)
¼ cup dried fruit (optional) - sultanas, apricots, cranberries)
White chocolate melts (optional)
Method:
1. Line an 8x8 inch pan with baking paper.
2. In a small saucepan, melt the honey and coconut oil together over low heat. Stir until smooth and just starting to bubble.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheerios until well coated.
4. Press the mixture firmly into the pan using a spatula or back of a spoon.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, then slice into bars.
Storage:
• Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• For a firmer texture, freeze for 10 minutes before serving.